There is agreement in the scientific community that the global food system will experience unprecedented pressure in the coming decades – demographic changes, urban growth, environmental degradation, increasing disaster risk, food price volatility, and climate change will all affect food security patterns.

The WMO South Asia Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) has finalized its consensus outlook for the 2016 Southwest Monsoon season. The outlook suggests that during the 2016 southwest monsoon season (June – September), above-normal rainfall is likely over much of South Asia. Above-normal rainfall is likely over broad areas of central and western parts of South Asia.

The UN Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation Mechanism Thematic Working Group (TWG) on International Migration including Human Trafficking has launched the 2012 Situation Report on International Migration in South and South-West Asia in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The multi-agency report stresses the importance of coherent migration policies and increasing collaboration among countries of origin, transit and destination in South and South-West Asia.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Maldives has a small country office (head of country office and three support staff) supporting the development of the Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC).

2. What is our mission?

The mission of MRC, as set out in the Strategic Plan 2011 – 2015, is to volunteer, participate and partner in delivering humanitarian service to the most vulnerable.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) regional office for South Asia has existed since 1997 to support the work of its member national societies and country offices to improve the lives of vulnerable people in the region. The support provided focuses on capacity building and technical assistance and advice. Increasingly we aim to follow an integrated approach to programming which we can present as a working example to the membership.

Like many international organisations involved in the delivery of medical and humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities, MERCY Malaysia has been actively involved in providing emergency assistance to affected populations.

In January 2005, MERCY Malaysia began implementing its key domestic and international projects and programmes by utilising a holistic approach to manage natural disasters,
Total Disaster Risk Management (TDRM).